This is something that I think is an ever evolving list for most mothers.
New baby items come out, you see what would make life easier, you get them. At the same time you are getting rid of baby items as well. (I'll make a list of what we got rid of when we moved at the bottom of the post.)
What I've got below is a list of the items I added to our arsenal of baby things this time, as well as the oldie but goodies we are still using from the days of baby Harry.
2nd Baby Essentials
KeaBabies Infinity Nursing Cover | With Harrison I used the free cover you could order and only pay shipping. He spent all his free time pushing it out of the way. This time I found a much cheaper version of the Milk Maid infinity nursing cover and car seat canopy and am in love. It's made nursing in public much more comfortable and it's insanely soft. Seriously, I nurse in Sunday School, a mixed gender class, every single week. I even nursed while eating lunch with friends last weekend. At no point was I worried Elliot would kick free.
Moby Wrap | I've gone back and forth with this one. Initially I was using it in place of my Baby Bjorn. I quickly found out that I'm not a soft carrier gal in public. They're just too hard to get back on. Instead what I've started doing is wearing Elliot in the evenings (at that time they need a nap and won't lay down) while I cook so he can cat nap before bath time. He will nap much better in this than in the Bjorn because it's much more cozy and snug. I think he rattles around too much with my cooking to sleep in the Bjorn, honestly.
Taking Cara Babies Sleep Courses | I followed Baby Wise with Harrison and was stressed. I had a schedule but felt I was missing some magic key. Then I read Moms on Call with Elliot. Before maternity leave was over I knew I was still missing something. Somehow I came across TCB and bought her course. Y'all she gave the actual advice I was looking for. I can schedule. Schedules are easy. In fact, the Moms on Call app is great for a schedule. But tips to get a baby to sleep, soothe himself, and get through a fussy period... that's what I need and Cara gave me that information.
RHOM Travel Sound Machine | Cara from Taking Cara Babies gave this advice and I think I could have saved a lot of car crying with Harry if I had it... get a travel sound machine. This particular one charges and I'm not wasting money on batteries. I only have to pop this into his car seat, cover him with the car seat cover, "car swaddle" and he's sound asleep.
Haaka Manual Breast Pump | This is a great way to 1) gather what would be lost into a breast pad during letdown and 2) increase your supply. It puts just enough pressure on you that your body wants to make more milk. I use it a few times a week depending on my supply and generally get between 1-2 ounces.
Mam Anti-Colic Bottles | I was shocked at how easy the baby took a bottle this time. I don't know if it is these or luck of the draw, but he took to them like a champ the very first time.
Lavender Castile Soap | Hello sensitive skin baby. He is a crusty little thing and I moved to using castile soap with him to have something less harsh. Plus it's much cheaper than items like Noodle & Boo or Tubby Todd that are usually recommended. Also... less ingredients and better EWG rating.
Silicone Loofah | This loofah is life. I got one for the kids bathroom as well as ours and love it. This is a much more hygienic option to the usual mesh loofah.
Probiotic Drops | I started the colic fight much earlier with baby number two. There was no way I was going to deal with the newborn gas any longer than I had to. On top of gas drop and my beloved Dupois Colic Remedy, I started giving Elliot these at bedtime and the irritated baby tummy really subsided.
LaVie Lactation Massager | This. Mamas THIS is makes pumping so much more fulfilling, rewarding, better output, heck I don't know the word. With Harry I did hand massage while pumping to try and hit those ducts that had more milk but weren't releasing easily with just the pump. Using this massager has honestly caused me to have 1-2 days worth of pumped milk stashed into the freezer every week. I just keep it on the constant high vibrate and move it around my boobs while I pump, when I find a duct that has more I just leave it there a bit with a bit more pressure.
Oldies But Goodies:
Puj Tub | We use this for baths up until 5 months. After that I'm moving Elliot to
THIS bath seat so I can still bath both kids at the same time.
Ergo Original Baby Carrier | Nothing beast a structured carrier that distributes the weight to your hips.
Baby Bjorn | Honestly I thought I wouldn't use it this time. I really thought I'd use the Moby and then go to the Ergo... nope. Turns out this is easier in public than the Moby.
Rock n' Play Sleeper | The devil of infant products itself. This will cause an amazing newborn sleeper until the day come that you must wean the baby into an actual bed. Then all hell breaks loose. I'll try to remember next time to not sleep in this again.
DOHM Sound Machine | I've bought cheaper versions. Don't buy cheaper versions, they just break easily. I now own two, one in each room. When the kids are in the same room my plan in to place the second machine between their beds to cut the noise they each make and hopefully not disturb each other.
Ikea Antilop High Chair | Cheap, easy to clean, you just can't beat it. I've bought this as baby gifts for friends. Seriously, don't waste your money on a traditional high chair. If you're doing Baby Led Weaning, this is a dream at clean up.
Graco Jogger/Travel System | This is a great singleton jogger, it move smoothly and is priced well. We are now using it with number two until he is big enough for the Britax double stroller (because .
Honest Company Nipple Balm | I try to avoid lanolin and this balm ticks all the boxes for me. I just can't wrap my head around putting something on me that would end up in the baby's mouth and isn't really food safe. The HC Nipple Balm is organic and doesn't have any funky ingredients, plus it really speeds up the healing process.
Honest Company All Purpose Balm | Previously Healing Balm, this is the nipple balm on crack. I can put this on any scratch and it heals much faster. It even helps with little baby eczema patches.
Dupois Colic Remedy | Everyone swore this was the holy grail of baby gas solutions, and after two newborns I can tell you it is. And worth every penny of that $30 bottle. In fact this reminded me that I needed more and placed a order for it just now. I give 1/2 tsp of this after his last feed at bedtime and it's a world of difference in how well we does... the alternative being fighting baby gas all night.
Bright Stars Activity Gym | This is something I don't spend much on (or hey grandma has bought one for Christmas). I'd love something that has a really pretty look, but whatever. It gets the job done and doesn't need to be ultra nice. Especially since the dog and big brother mess with it... and the dog messed with Harrison's as well. Honestly the dog also messed with Joshua's (my sister's son) 10 years ago) You just can't win with our dogs.
Items we ditched:
Bouncer Seat - I am going to sit him up in the Ikea High Chair in the kitchen with us. I've even used the Rock n' Play in the kitchen while I'm cleaning to entertain him.
Baby Activity Center - bulky, massive, no room for it. He has a brother to entertain him and I might buy a door bouncer eventually. Our sitter has one of these so he can play in that there.
Bumbo - it was borrowed but I'm good without it.
